Maxwell-Boltzmann Distributions (Edexcel International A Level Chemistry)

Revision Note

Richard

Author

Richard

Last updated

Maxwell-Boltzmann & Temperature

Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve

  • A Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve is a graph that shows the distribution of energies at a certain temperature
  • In a sample of a gas, a few particles will have very low energy, a few particles will have very high energy, but most particles will have energy in between

Reaction Kinetics Boltzmann Distribution Curve, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve shows the distribution of the energies and the activation energy

  • The graph shows that only a small proportion of molecules in the sample have enough energy for an effective collision and for a chemical reaction to take place

Changes in temperature

  • When the temperature of a reaction mixture is increased, the particles gain more kinetic energy
  • This causes the particles to move around faster resulting in more frequent collisions
  • Furthermore, the proportion of successful collisions increases, meaning a higher proportion of the particles possess the minimum amount of energy (activation energy) to cause a chemical reaction
  • With higher temperatures, the Boltzmann distribution curve flattens and the peak shifts to the right 

Reaction Kinetics Boltzmann Distribution Curve at higher Temperature, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curve at T oC and when the temperature is increased by 10 oC

  • Therefore, an increase in temperature causes an increased rate of reaction due to:
    • There being more effective collisions as the particles have more kinetic energy, making them move around faster
    • A greater proportion of the molecules having kinetic energy greater than the activation energy

You've read 0 of your 10 free revision notes

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Did this page help you?

Richard

Author: Richard

Expertise: Chemistry

Richard has taught Chemistry for over 15 years as well as working as a science tutor, examiner, content creator and author. He wasn’t the greatest at exams and only discovered how to revise in his final year at university. That knowledge made him want to help students learn how to revise, challenge them to think about what they actually know and hopefully succeed; so here he is, happily, at SME.